Dude, flying with this story I wonder why lol
Chapter 2- What to do?
Lucien felt the room spinning. Was he losing his mind or just the control of his once semi-stable home? If anyone believed one person could not make a difference, he'd rip their heart out and feed it to them. Not only was he now sure that Mah-ron would live, provided the fact she followed common sense and behaved herself, but that she was also here to stay. And something even more perplexing, something in her was oddly familiar. A call from the past. He couldn't quite place it but the girl, her eyes, or rather what was behind them reminded him of Baden. Where had the spirit of Distrust gone anyway?
His thoughts were intruded upon by a girlish laugh. He turned to see Maddox, Ashlyn, and Mah-ron entering the kitchen. When Mah-ron saw him, however she instantly hid behind Ashlyn. Ashlyn raised an eyebrow at Lucien who shrugged. He had no idea what he had done. He had been kind to the girl. Maybe she just thought him strange. Maddox looked down at the girl, clinging to his woman. Without warning, he gently touched the top of her head. "It's alri-" But as soon as his fingers touched Mah-ron's hair she yelped and flinched, knocking herself off balance and crumpled on the floor with a whimper.
Maddox stood shocked, perplexed but Ashlyn knelt down and smiled at the girl. The girl relaxed and leant into her and Ashlyn gently rocked her, giving her a questioning look. The young girl's face turned pink then crimson. "I don't like to be touched…. unless I say it's ok…" She murmured and Ashlyn nodded. Maddox stiffened. He meant no harm to the girl either. Lucien merely stared.
He was about to say something when the others filed in. Both Torin, who was in the far corner of the room, away from everyone else and now Reyes glimpsed at Mah-ron, most likely wondering what she was doing on the floor. Paris sauntered in and looked down, but Maddox growled at him. "Ok, ok…" He held his hands up in defense. "I was only going to say hi…"
"Right…" Maddox's voice was gruff as he pulled Ashlyn up, who had Mah-ron still in her arms. Mah-ron, however, pushed away from her and fell backward clumsily into a hard chest. She looked up to see Sabin.
He smiled down at her. She blushed and Reyes growled, standing up. He was not about to let Sabin into her head. However, Kane walked in as well. He had white flecks in his hair, which he was brushing out. "A part of the ceiling fell on me again…" He pouted. Mah-ron touched his arm and his attention snapped downward.
His eyebrow raised and she tugged until he bent to her and she lightly brushed his hair clean, seemingly fascinated. The room got very quiet and Kane blinked at her. He sniffed. Human? What is she doing here? Why is she…. be nice. "Thank you, sweetie…" He smiled, a bit unsure but Mah-ron, let go of his arm and looked around, as though she had done nothing, her expression was vacant. How strange…
Sabin thought to peek into her thoughts to see what was going on. Wow, this place is cool, like an…hmm…I don't know Renaissance castle. I've always wanted to be inside one but I didn't think there would be so many people…or that it would be so advanced…they could be angels…just…maybe dark ones. Madison did tell me to believe... Sabin snickered and slipped into her mind. These people don't like you, they don't even trust you, you're not supposed to be here…. Mah-ron however, merely tilted her head to one side and sat, Indian style on the floor in front of Reyes, her skirt barely covering. The scarred man stepped closer, but not out of free will. She began to play with the tips of her hair. Sabin pouted and tried again. They'll rape you, especially the one called Pairs if you're not careful, you shouldn't stay, they outnumber you easily, you should- He got cut off by another voice. Doubt, you have no power where Distrust already resides. Now, and only now, Mah-ron's head slowly rose, a confused expression on her face. Why were there two voices just now? She asked herself. Sabin gasped. "You're-"
However, Strider walked in and looked around, curious as to why everyone was quiet save Sabin. He patted the man on the back. "What are you up to?" Sabin turned to him, expression panicked and his cheerfulness disintegrated. "What's wrong?" Sabin, however, shook his head.
He would not blurt out what he had just learned. He merely spoke. "Later, gather the others and go to my room, we need to discuss something…" He stalked off. Lucien wondered what had just happened. Kane watched his friend leave the room and was curious but was more intrigued by the young human girl. She knew nothing of him and she had shown him kindness. How he wished he couldn't be a walking target for Disaster. Yet, if only once, it was exactly that that had Mah-ron act kindly toward him.
Kane walked up the to the girl and knelt. "Hello there…" Mah-ron's eyes remained trained on her hair; she tugged at it until a few strands fluttered to rest on the exposed skin of her thigh. From the angle he leaned, Kane could see into her shirt. He could just barely stifle a groan as he tried again. "What's your name? I'm Kane and you a-" Just then, another piece of ceiling fell and quick as lightening he leaned over Mah-ron to protect her from it.
He grunted as he once again got plaster smashed into his skull and Mah-ron looked up, unmoving but eyes curious. She was covered in little white specks as well but it made her look, angelic. Kane chuckled, pain forgotten and shook his head, which showered her in more flecks of white. "Hey!" She squealed in an adorable tone that made his heart soar.
"I'm sorry, princess, let me help you…" Mah-ron gave him a questioning look so he added. "I want to return the favor…may I?" She nodded and he gingerly touched her hair, wiping away ceiling dust and smiled, inhaling her scent as he worked. She was warm under his fingers and only noticed she was clinging to him when he tried to stand up again. There was dead silence as if they were the only ones in the room. It didn't last.
She blushed and there was a growl from behind. Reyes had seen enough. He grabbed Mah-ron. "I'm taking you to your room, now…" Mah-ron whimpered in protest and Torin was about to scold Reyes when without warning, she tried to slash at him. Reyes, catching the motion, caught her wrist and pinned it on the wall; her feet did not touch the floor. She dropped the knife in her hand. Her expression was caught between frightened and vengeful, she kicked as she dangled, and her heels spouted small blades, which she tried to dig into Reyes. He grimaced. Fuck! He wrapped his arms around the girl, pinning her arms and legs together. Lucien had had it; he stalked up, snatched Mah-ron from Reyes and stalked from the room, which was otherwise silent. Kane was pouting at Reyes. Reyes growled, blade ready but slowly slipped it back into place. Blood from his arm dripped on the floor, a wound from this morning having re-opened in the struggle. He smiled at the pleasure-pain and Kane could feel nothing but pity for the man.
Lucien held his hand firmly over the writhing girl's mouth; he took her back to her room, kicked the door shut and set her down. Oddly, she did not move, she merely looked at him. Good. He thought and then sighed, hand running through his hair. "Enough already. I brought you here, Mah-ron. I cannot tell you why but you have to behave and you have to trust me. And you must be careful around those here. Ashlyn, Maddox and I…" he noted, remembering how the child responded to them "Are the only ones you may get close to…" Mah-ron made a face at him so he sighed. "You may talk to the others, but you must act reasonably around the others, some of us aren't as nice as it seems at first glance. " He thought of his guests, and hoped, prayed they found the box soon. He wanted them out of his home; they weren't really worth the trouble. "If you need anything ask the three of us, especially, Ashlyn. And do try not to cut everyone when you ….get upset."
Mah-ron seemed to understand but then her head snapped up again. "Can I have a map or something? Otherwise I'll be wandering all over the place. I refuse to depend on anyone to escort me around..." her voice and face were serious; she sat, where her hands rested on her legs, which oddly looked thick and inviting. He scowled to himself and moved his vision back to her face before another similar thought would surface.
Lucien raised an eyebrow at her, curious. She was truly intelligent and either wanted to stray away from people or get the upper hand. However, he could not risk another outburst. "I'll make one and give it to you later. For the mean time, please stay here and make yourself comfortable until I come for you. Is that understood?" The small girl nodded in a jerking manner.
Then the elfin caramel girl bit her full bottom lip. "So…this is my room, to do as I please? And I can um…. stay up as long as I want?" She blinked, expecting but went on before he could answer. "And I can stay? And ask for anything I want?" She tittered. "I hope that doesn't appear too demanding. I won't bother anyone, promise. More or less, I'll stay in here by myself…"
Lucien blinked at the girl. Why didn't she fight like the rest? Even Ashlyn had tried to go back home…. does this Mah-ron even have a home to go back to? He looked her up and down until she drew back, uncomfortable. She seemed well to do enough, and if she was working then she must be fine, financially. However, that was not the truth. Mah-ron had learned long ago to tell lies with her appearance. "Yes, this is your room and you may do as you please. You may stay, in fact I insist. And I shall try to comply as long as the things you request are within reason…." He picked his words carefully. The small girl winked and rose, beginning to re-arrange her things; obviously unsatisfied with the way Torin had arranged things. He smiled and left. Mah-ron wondered to herself. Why don't his eyes match?
--
Now back in their room, Maddox and Ashlyn were mulling over the thought of a new guest. Lucien seemed thrown by her whereas Reyes and Torin seemed taken, along with Kane. But Sabin seemed, afraid. "What do you make of her? She seems harmless enough. She's just a scared little girl…. I don't know, she seems sad as well…. and odd." Ashlyn pointed out, as she toyed with the hem of her shirt, Maddox had trouble concentrating; his thoughts were on what was under that shirt. "Maddox…"
He slowly looked up into those wide brown eyes and smiled. "Yes, she is…odd. But she seems harmless, yes. I don't think she's Bait either; otherwise Lucien would not have brought her here. Nor did he say he sensed anyone around her at the river." He pointed out as his fingers traced over the back of her hand, electric tingles shot through him. He smirked as she shivered, feeling it too.
Ashlyn purred then grinned. "I think it's wonderful she's getting attention. At least she'll distract Reyes from Danika…" Ashlyn smiled, Danika had been the only friend she had but now she had the possibility of being Mah-ron's friend, another female, for some reason that was so necessary, so significant to Ashlyn. She was surprised by this, though she knew she could live without that, she knew she wouldn't be able to breath without Maddox. "What do you think?"
The handsome man before her on the bed smirked and held her closer, arm tight around her waist, always protective, possessive. "I say…she's a good addition to our family, and she brought out something in you that only makes me love you so much more…"
Ashlyn blushed to a fiery red. "And what on earth is that?" She asked, breathless and that made Maddox growl with instantaneous want.
"You were motherly toward her...that's good, for the near future…." He grinned as she shuddered in his arms. She blinked, she a mother? Could she do that?
She thought to how she acted with Mah-ron and smiled. "I guess you're right, but I didn't even know I was doing that. Must be maternal instinct." Maddox's eyebrows furrowed together in confusion and Ashlyn laughed as she explained.
--
Lucien sighed and looked down at the sad excuse for a map he had out before him. It was old, Aeron had discovered it soon after they had moved to Budapest and thought it helpful as they made a home for themselves. It was soon memorized and discarded, left on an old oak table, the four corners pinned by weights. He was curious as to why Ashlyn had never gotten lost. He figured it was because Maddox was either always with her or could always find her. However, Mah-ron had asked for it. He sighed and carefully copied it down, to every detail.
He smiled down at his work, slightly makeshift but acceptable. He rolled it up gingerly. The one he made was on a much smaller scale then its predecessor. He could almost imagine little Mah-ron carrying it around and looking about, most likely in fascination. He smiled but then caught himself. His fingers once again rolled over the puckered scars of his face as his boots thunked up the way to Mah-ron's room. Thunk, thunk thunk! It was a rhythm he never really noticed.
He stood in the hallway where the Entertainment Room was, staring at a line of shoes, just outside her door, which was half-ajar, and the smell of spiced peaches taunted him. He blinked and walked up. Oddly he knocked. "Shoes off…" Came a monotone reply. He blinked, wondering if he should comply when he noticed a sign, a piece of paper which had the words, 'Mah-ron's room, enter at own risk' scrawled in black.
He chuckled. "Nice sign…" he spoke as he took of his boots and placed them beside a pair of worn sneakers. Maybe he would get Paris to buy her a new pair. He stepped into the room and searing pain shot through his foot. He howled and looked down, about seven little pinpricks oozed blood from his foot. He growled and leaned down to see, hidden in the carpet were indeed, tacks, aimed upward to despair any would-be intruders.
Mah-ron didn't even turn, her face in the screen of a very small laptop. Though a satisfied smile spread across her face at the thought of her booby-trapped room protecting itself and her. She slowly arched her head in Lucien's direction. The man had put down the map and was busy finding all the tacks before he took another step closer. He had been caught off-guard, he would not allow that again. She smiled and walked over, oddly stepping sideward now and again, as she avoided the invisible string that triggered more traps and picked up the map. She sauntered over to the bed again. Effortless.
He scowled at her but then his face blanked. He had to keep his temper. Regardless of what this girl did. His foot would heal within the hour and he knew that, still he looked around, noticing the string she carefully stepped over. Obviously, she either trusted no one or she had something to protect. Now he was curious. Was she protecting herself, her things, or a secret? Pain forgotten, he slowly rose and to Mah-ron's surprise, walked over to her, managing to avoid the rest of her little toys. "That was quite clever…anyways, I hope you find the map acceptable…"
Mah-ron shoulders stiffened. Perhaps she thought he'd touch her, her body was flexed, ready to react. But he remained just above her. Tiny, piercing black eyes scaled upward and they softened, if just a little. "It's fine, thank you…" Mah-ron's voice seemed caught in her throat so she went back to scribbling in that small notebook of hers looking at the map, more scribbling. She prayed he didn't notice the waver in her voice.
Lucien leaned. "What's that you're writing?" He asked out of pure curiosity. Mah-ron did not look up, black nails moved over the map with grace, precision, through mannerism. Lucien found himself impressed. But since the young girl did not answer, he read over her instead. 'Left, down the stairs, first door, kitchen. Third door, right hall, sunroom. Up the hall, second passage, weight room.' Directions? Did she not want to walk around with the map? Or maybe she figured she would eventually memorize it as well. He was inquiring as to why she wrote those rooms and only now realized that she was avoiding all the bedrooms. Did she not like people?
A twitch of her arm let Mah-ron know Lucien was watching her, too closely. She had been engrossed in her writing regardless of the stifling smell of roses. It made her want to gag. When she was small, when Madison was alive, she had loved roses when her elder sister preferred lilies. Oh, how Mah-ron had insisted that roses are better, teasing her sister. In fact, that was one of the last tings she had said to her sister. Mah-ron winced and snapped the black band on her arm, a bracelet she wore so that she would never forget. But the hair on her arm was taut, standing on end at Lucien being so close. She slowly scooted away.
Lucien sighed and stepped back, then he noticed the laptop and stiffened. "You may not have that in here…. Torin has to-" Mah-ron was not listening, she had a cell phone hidden between her fingers, almost invisible. He quickly took it. "Or this…."
Mah-ron's face instantly heated. She stood on the bed, making her height even with Lucien's and scowled. Where did this girl get that brazenness? "Give it back! I've done nothing! I told you I would stay in this room and I've done that. Why take my things?!" Her face was right in his and her eyes burned with red irises. Lucien blinked in surprise but slipped the phone into his back pocket.
"Fine, you can keep that laptop, but you're not getting this back for a while." And with that, he turned and started to leave. A knife, quick as lightening whizzed over his head but he merely closed the door behind him and he listened at the door.
"Shit, I missed…" He heard a jostling as Mah-ron jerked the knife from the wall and chuckled before walking down the hall with his boots in hand. He noticed Paris then, hand full of DVD's and raised an eyebrow at the man.
The black-haired angel smiled at him, seemingly excited. "Torin gave me these! He was throwing them away and I asked him why. He said they were useless and asked if I wanted them. He said they would interest me..." He gave Lucien a bright smile. "I can't wait!"
Lucien shook his head. He'd have to talk to Torin later. "You do know those are Mah-ron's right? It's her in those…" He spoke, voice serious but Paris merely stilled, inhaled deeply and joyous and raced off to see for himself, anticipation in his every movement. Lucien sighed again. He was losing the fatherly; 'listen-to-me-or-else' hold he had on his home. Because of one person.
--
Sabin scowled as he stared at the door, the others tittered, uneased by their leader's odd, shifty mood. Finally, Cameo came in and carefully shutting the door behind her. She sat on the bed parallel from Amun, who already knew what was going on. His damned knack for divining secrets, for once paying off in a good way. Everyone's attention then drew to Sabin, who was scowling, turning a chair under his fingers, before he sat in it. Restless, he stood and spun it again as he tried to choose his words. There was no proper arrangement to make the blow of them soften. "That girl…" His lips pulling back into a frightening snarl.
Gideon looked up. "She is bad, yes?" He asked, curious. The poor man could never speak a word of truth, so the others always took the opposite of what he said to heart.
Everyone nodded in agreement. "She's harmless…" Kane.
"Just a child…." Strider.
"Human…pure and simple." Cameo added. Everyone flinched and slipped a bit away from Misery.
Sabin held up a hand and shook his head. "She is Distrust…I heard it, thanks to Doubt. I had peered into her thoughts and the demon spoke to me…" Everyone froze. They knew Doubt could only speak truth but they couldn't believe it, still.
Kane growled. "I want proof…she's strange yes. But we've dealt with humans before in New York. There's a place of insanity and you know it. Everything happens there." Kane's fists clenched and unclenched. His comrades blinked at him, thoroughly thrown. But that only reeled him more.
Sabin nodded slowly and then thought for a moment. "Look for the mark. The butterfly mark that damns us all…" He spoke carefully and Kane relaxed slightly, listening. "She seems to like you, so why don't you get close to her and find it. Then report back to me and we'll go from there."
Kane nodded, curtly. "And if she is?" His voice was bizarrely stuck in his throat. He was unnerved by the change the girl brought out of him.
Sabin face was tight. "Then we tell the others and deal with her as a group. She is human yes, but she must have drawn Distrust to her some way." He then turned to Amun. The man stood at attention. "When you can, divine her secrets…and write them down for me." he focused, and the mute man nodded slowly.
--
The night had rolled in quickly. Dinnertime had come and went and Mah-ron had eaten in her room, never in front of people. It was one in the morning and Mah-ron lounged on her bed, restless, not in the least bit tired. All of a sudden, it started to thunder. She sat up at the same time a bolt of lightning eerily lit the room, and thunder rattled the stain-glass windows. She stifled a whimper and quickly picked up her journal and a flashlight. She couldn't be alone right now.
She followed the route until she stood in front of a door that she hadn't seen before. She eased it open and slipped in. She shone her flashlight around. It was full of punching bags and weaponry of every kind. Mah-ron couldn't help but stare in wonder and awe. She had weapons herself but nothing this extensive; she was too poor for that. The ones she had, she either stole or people had given them to her, but she wasn't sure if it was from pity or charity.
She inhaled deeply and blinked, wonder filling her yet again. Whenever she went into a guy's room, it would reek of sweat or rotten laundry, but this room was quite clean. In fact, it smelled slightly of cologne and another scent. One she could not figure out for the life of her.
Another crack of thunder had her jumping and she made her way over to the bed in mere seconds. She covered the flashlight so only thin ribbons of yellow could escape through her slim fingers. She peered down at the figure on the bed. A shudder worked through her. Don't do this! Do not do this thing! You shall be harmed! A voice in her head screamed but Mah-ron clicked off her flashlight and carefully lied down next to the form. I'm too scared to do otherwise, let him try and hurt me… She scolded back. Warmth washed over her and she relaxed. Instantly exhausted, she slipped an arm over a warm chest as she drifted off to her waiting dreams.
Reyes growled softly in his sleep, seemingly fighting a nightmare. He heard noises in his room, and a flash of light but took it as the storm until the smell of spiced peaches, a tainted sweetness engulfed him. He groaned and felt warmth as well. His eyes fluttered open to see Mah-ron clinging to him, face peaceful, but her fist was tight on his shirt. He looked to the window, which led to a balcony, he saw a flash of lightning. He carefully put an arm around the doll-like child and cuddled her too him. He couldn't help but smile but as a crack of thunder sounded she yelped and woke, starting to whimper. She was afraid, he realized. Very afraid. Slim bony shoulders dug into his arm, shaking terribly.
He held her tightly to him, much to Mah-ron surprise. She let out a soft unconsciously pleading cry and Reyes, wanting to comfort her, stroked her back. She stiffened a bit though out of habit. He whispered to her, burying his face in her curled hair to find her ear. "It's ok, sweet, it's just a storm, it'll pass…" He soothed her, and her body slumped. He kept going, inhaling her scent as he did, a smile on his face. "I'll be right here with you, you don't have to worry about a thing, love." Mah-ron's heartbeat slowed and her vice-like grip on his shirt relaxed until her open palm rested over his heart. His face split into another grin. Was she truly that easy to sate?
He sat up and leaning on the headboard, pulled her into his lap. She was so small it made him feel like a giant. She cooed and let him snuggle her. Mah-ron thoughts raced a bit. Was this really the man she had met this afternoon? He seemed so different now. Gosh, he's so warm….
Her hands began to wander a bit as she snuggled closer, unable to help herself, unable to deny the warmth. Her fingers brushed over scar after scar and she pouted. She began to trace them. Reyes managed to stifle a groan. The girl's scent was intoxicating and it pulled him in with the soft but spiked tainted edge around the sweet core. Like a rose. He then stiffened a bit, guard back up. Suppose she asked why he mutilated himself? But she didn't. Her gentle fingers ran over his arms, caressing, delicate, as if she was afraid she would break him. He rumbled with laughter at the thought and held her tightly.
Mah-ron jumped and turned to face the man she sat on, her expression solidly confused. She had spoken not a word, so what could she have done that was so funny? Reyes smiled and smoothed the hair from her eyes, tucking it behind her ears, not liking the fact that she always hid them from view. He was grinning at her as he did so. He never got to touch anyone like this. Pain never let him, Pain scared him into thinking he would hurt everyone he came in contact with. And this fear was often manifested.
Little Mah-ron however, flushed red, and was more than grateful the night atmosphere hid her from plain view, she jerked so that her bangs once again covered her eyes. Reyes pouted, "Why do you do that? I'm strictly just curious…"
Raven locks flew as Mah-ron shook her head left and right. But Reyes caught the side of her face with a firm hand and made her look at him. He wouldn't push her like he had done earlier. He couldn't take her screaming. But he would be firm enough to get an answer out of her. Mah-ron tried to resist but as soon as their gazes met, she froze; the only movement was from her wavering eyes. So many scars…I want to…. Without really thinking of what she was doing, Mah-ron reached up and cupped Reyes' face as well.
The man tensed a bit, eyes searching for emotion on the girl's face. Fear. Judgment. Hate. Sick amusement. But he saw something that caught him completely off-guard. Her expression was one of concern, maybe even worry, lined with sadness and familiarity. He softened, melting into her touch and gave her a sheepish grin. Mah-ron however was dazed, little fingers sliding into every crevice they found, slow, calculating. The scarred man became curious. "What are you doing, little one? Memorizing me by heart?" He blinked at the sereneness of his voice. Also, at the huskiness.
The doll in his lap shook her tiny head once again. "No…just…in awe is all…you're so…" She paused at that, unsure if she should go on. Don't, don't you dare. Distrust echoed in her head and she pouted. She looked Reyes over in the faint light again. He seemed harmless enough. If she threw him off-guard enough she could take him down. "Handsome…"
Again the poor man stiffened. He had expected a completely different answer. He had expected her to lie. He had seen the hesitation in her eyes, the sheer unclear decisions, unsure and distrusting. Yet he could clearly hear the earnest hint in her voice. He cupped her face. "Thank you, you're very beautiful yourself…" Mah-ron flinched and pulled away from him. Reyes blinked. How could a compliment be insulting? Or rather, why did she find it insulting?
She stood and Reyes sat up more, reaching for her arm. Her face was in a tight grimace as if his words had caused severe pain. Reyes instantly felt guilty and confused. Mah-ron's hands were by her side, fists so tight the veins strained and her knuckles whitened with the effort. Her jaw was set in stone. "Shouldn'ta come." She hissed through her teeth. "I know better, I just really like to hurt myself…."
Reyes froze. Was she talking to him or herself? He couldn't be sure but at the last comment he growled and took her hand, pulling her back to the bed. He noticed that she only wore a soft silk pajama set, no kneepads, no gloves. Mah-ron gasped and tried to resist. She had no idea what he was going to do and the sudden panic dropped a load of adrenaline into her system. She squealed and tried to whack his head off. "Let g-"
The scarred man was ready this time, in one quick motion, one Mah-ron missed, he grabbed her hand, knocked her legs from under her and swept her onto the bed where he pressed over her, hands above her head, legs pinned under his. Mah-ron's eyes widened and she writhed helplessly as he leaned over her, inspecting her hands. Reyes was fascinated. The young girl's heart was erratic, like it wanted to escape her chest, her breathing was quick and she looked that if it continued, she'd faint. So Reyes carefully moved and kissed her forehead. Mah-ron froze and he took this opportunity to trace a few puckered scars on her open palm. "Why do you cut?"
The caramel girl's full lips thinned to a tiny line and she shook her head. She glared up at him with feral intensity. If he was going to rob the cradle she refused to make it easy. She should have listened to the voice in her head. Although… She wiggled more but this time to get comfortable. It's been a while since anyone has tried to take me…
Reyes' eyebrows knit together in a bit of frustration. Could this girl make everything so difficult? He sighed and kissed her palm, which made the small, warm, form beneath him still. Mah-ron's eyes closed as she tried to focus on her breathing. "Why?" he asked, again. Then he thought for a moment. "I do because I have to…. and because I like it…" He figured an indirect truth. Maybe if I tell her, just not everything, she'll feel comfortable enough to tell me….
He watched as wide black eyes bore into him, searching for lies, or maybe just an escape. Those full lips of hers twitched at the corners but he couldn't tell if it was a smile or a grimace. Mah-ron's head was screaming but she couldn't understand what it was trying to tell her, all the blood had rushed to her head, coherency lost.
Reyes shifted eagerly as he waited for her to calm down enough to answer. That and the way her gown stretched across her breasts, which were slightly revealed, was driving him crazy, he licked his lips as he tried to hide his growing erection. The girl seemed too nervous to notice and he was relieved, although not as much as he wanted, by that fact. Mah-ron closed her eyes again. "I-I do it because I like how it feels and I do it because I'm sad…. now get the hell offa me." Reyes did not comply. He was gawking down at the writhing girl in surprise. It was in her to lie, he could hear it, he could see it. So why didn't she lie to him? This was the third time she's done this.
A whimper caught his attention and he noticed Mah-ron's efforts to move her legs. He gently moved to one side, still hiding himself and she sighed. She still laid flat on his bed but now he could see the curves of her hips and thighs against the purple satin she wore. He growled softly. She was so beautiful and he was determined to make her see that, one way or another. Without really thinking, he leaned down and kissed Mah-ron's forehead, temple, cheeks and along her jaw-line.
Mah-ron sucked in air and she held that breath, her eyes shut tight but Reyes worked slow and gentle, gauzing his actions on her reactions. Her face relaxed but her breathing became more erratic, the rise and fall of her breasts, tempting, inviting. He moved to mash his lips against hers when they parted in a soft sweet sigh. Mah-ron's fingers curled around Reyes' wrist a bit but she was otherwise still, as if waiting for something.
The Lord of Pain looked her over once again, curious and wanting. Mah-ron was getting restless. She wasn't used to it taking this long. She licked her lips in anticipation and her legs siccored the air, making the hem of silk slide to reveal waiting red lace underneath. "R-reyes?" Her voice was timid and curious but still demanding. However, the man did not answer, he was staring at the red lace, a target he needed no guidance to. He gripped her arms with one hand as the other hand slid from her knee up to her leg and rested on the crease of her warm inner thighs, fingers against the lace. Little Mah-ron whimpered softly, and arched against his fingers. Yes, please….
Reyes however looked down at what he was doing and pulled his hands away. Mah-ron's eyes fluttered and she pouted up at him before her eyes widened for only a moment. Her face then iced over, hardened. He doesn't like me… I'm not acceptable…. Catching him off guard, she shoved her arms upward, clipping him on the shoulder and scooting away from him. Reyes let out a surprised growl and his eyes narrowed. Why was it always bad when he did the right thing?
To take her most likely would cause her pain, and he refused to give this girl any more pain than she had already experienced, already endured. Mah-ron sat up, huffing and scowling. "You're such a jack-ass!" She yelled and then caught herself. She knew the men here were different to say the least; it wouldn't do to provoke them. No sooner had she thought that did she see a skeletal face on Reyes, red eyes.
Reyes, blinked, red haze obstructing a clear view of Mah-ron and his room. He felt the bed jostle and noticed Mah-ron's swishing hips going toward the door. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, held it and released. Pain quieted enough for him to regain control.
Mah-ron was muttering to herself. "Pig, ass-hole, dick-head. The nerve of... Should have gone to Kane's room. Kane's nice…" She thought of that tall handsome man who had leaned closed to her and touched her hair. She bit her lip, eyes glazing over as she began to daydream.
Reyes scowled, the thought of her with another man. He scowled and couldn't help but yell out. "Let's make a deal!" without, really realizing it, he was gripping Mah-ron's wrists and dragging her back to the bed. She was all but a rag-doll, easily welded. "If I behave you'll sleep here for the night. Agreed?"
Mah-ron's heart was racing; Reyes could see the wild pulse on her neck. The small girl could only nod. Reyes relaxed and Pain quieted again, prowling his mind in dejected forced calm. He laid the girl down and she instantly slipped under the sheets and on the far side of the bed, obviously not content with the situation. Reyes sighed and fell flat, pulling her to him. Mah-ron gave a small yelp. But then her body went slack. "Mah-ron?" No response. "Sweet?" He turned her carefully to find she had fainted.
--
Lucien carried the tray of food to Mah-ron's room. It had taken him a while to find things without meat, so the tray was mostly fruit and salad. He also had a glass of tea, which was now kept in the fortress for Ashlyn, as he remembered Mah-ron requested it the day before.
He knocked but this time he did not remove his shoes, he wasn't going to be fooled twice. "Open up… while I give you the option…" He didn't really want to be rude but he couldn't help it. Then he realized something; Mah-ron's scent was oddly weak here. Shit… He opened the door and scanned around, empty. "Where is she?!"
He scowled and then thought to follow her spiritual trail using his pale blue eye. He saw pink by the bathroom. Passion? What had happened there? Then he followed the trail, white. Fear. What had she been afraid of? Lucien flashed to where the trail led him and found himself in front of Reyes's room. He walked in and looked around. Reyes was sitting up with Mah-ron in his arms.
Lucien gave him friend cold piercing eyes. Reyes sucked in air and moved, careful as to not wake the small human girl. "I did nothing wrong. The storm scared her, she ran here, then fainted." Though Pain echoed in his head. Should have done more…should have taken… He looked up at his friend, the man he loved like a brother.
The duel-eye-colored man nodded. There was no treachery in his companion's voice, and the story matched up with the streak of fear he had followed here. "She should go back to her room now…" Reyes nodded and motioned to the bed, meaning, 'when she wakes.' Lucien nodded.
Mah-ron woke but stilled herself as she heard voices. She scowled. No one decided what she did or needed for her. She sat up and hissed at them, tossing the pillow in their direction. "Fuck off! I'll do what I want when I want!" She raced from the room, leaving behind a shocked Reyes. Lucien, however, was expecting an outburst and did not move.
Reyes rose to follow but Lucien put up his hand. "No…"
--
Mah-ron raced to her room, flashlight and notebook in hand. They were probably furious at her, so she had to hide for the time being. She quickly changed into a black and gold trimmed mini dress with a black scarf around her neck and a low bust line. She wore black stockings so her scars went unseen and got her small backpack, which she took everywhere with her and raced out of the room. Down, down down, she ran, surprised she didn't run into anyone. No sooner had she said that that she bashed into a firm body. "Ah… I was hoping to run into you, but not like this…" She felt herself get scooped up and then hugged. The voice was familiar. Kane. "You look very pretty…."
She could feel her face instantly pinken but she hadn't the time for him. "Um, I really would love to chat but I'm playing a game of hide and seek, can't stop now. I'll talk to you " She grinned up at the confused but very handsome man and blew a kiss before racing off.
He reached out for her but the mirror on the wall crashed into his shoulder. He pouted and dusted himself off, rotating his shoulder. "Later…" He figured he would have to weasel into her line of vision later. She apparently liked her more than yesterday.
--
Little Mah-ron was now lost. The lower she went, the darker and colder everything became. What was this place? These people's home was like a parfait of weirdness. On the top was the most modern and the best-taken care of, below that was semi-cared for, and now she felt as though she were in a dungeon of a scary movie. She shivered and rubbed her arms, trying to block the piercing cold but just couldn't. Then she heard noise. It sounded monstrous but at the same time not? What was it? An animal those people no longer wanted as a pet? She followed the noise, hand sliding over the wet crumbling stone walls.
Aeron's vision was red, he growled again and pulled at his restraints. They sliced into his wrists and he scowled, he placed his feet on the wall behind him and pushed, if he had to snap his wrists off he would, to fulfill his duty, the task Cronus had assigned to him. The damned god, the escaped titan. But then, an odd, bittersweet scent smacked him in the face He inhaled deeply and groaned, astonished as the red haze faded and Wrath quieted in his head. "Who's there?!" He called out. What could have caused Wrath to purr like that?
Mah-ron jumped at the sound of someone's voice. Those cruel men had put somebody down here?! How terrible! She raced toward the voice, a masculine heady voice, and felt as though her chest was going explode. All too soon she saw in the dim light, ancient cells line up in front of her on either side. She wrinkled her nose at the stench of the place. "I am, who are you?" She was right in front of his cell. Mah-ron shrieked as Aeron lifted his head, skeletal features, and bloody wrists in shackles. "Oh my god, are you ok!? Why are you down here?!" And what are you? She blinked at him through the bars, transfixed. Was it the dark playing tricks, or was this man tattooed and pierced on every visible part of his body? But he was so handsome. She felt her heart ache for some odd reason.
Aeron gawked at the small female before him. Her appearance was entrancing. Her scent was intoxicating. What the hell? "Aeron..." He growled in a husky voice. He was surprised but if he could get out of Maddox's chains, he would be content and do as he pleased. "Let me out, beauty… and I'll be just fine…" It was truth, he would after he did something others would consider terribly. But it was something he, the new Aeron, considered delectable.
Mah-ron shook the door frantically and sniffed, starting to cry. How could these people be so cruel? "I can't! I don't' have the key!" She then noticed the spacing of the bars, they were close, but she was thin enough to slip through them.
Aeron growled. Obviously, the girl had been wandering. And she was the newest face he's seen here at the fortress, what was going on upstairs? Then something else echoed in his head. Since when could he think this clearly? He hadn't been able to in the longest of times. "Woman, what is your name?" He writhed. For some strange reason, he wanted to reach out to the girl. "Answer me…" He groaned as the small girl hesitated.
"Mah-ron..." She whimpered softly. Shit, I must have scared her. He would have smiled but he knew she would run if she saw fangs, she would find out that he was a monster, and not a man.
Mah-ron? What beautiful name, musical even. "Mah-ron…" He growled softly wondering why Wrath was purring. "Please get the key from Lucien, but do not tell him what you are doing."
The small girl shook her head, she was shaking but her face was determined. "I have a better idea." She pressed herself between the bars, it was tight but she fell through, stumbling into the dank cell. She rose and dusted herself off. Aeron watched amazed. The girl was smaller than he thought, no woman, she smelt of at least 17. She hesitated and toyed with her waist. He scowled, impatient at her but she didn't seem to notice. He could see in the faint light goose bumps on her flesh. She pulled up a thin metal strip in her hand, taken from a hidden pocket. "I can pick any lock..." She carefully walked up to Aeron her fingers on his wrists and he sucked in air. "Oops, sorry. For a moment, I thought you weren't real." What the fuck? Of course I'm re-oh, right. I'm a monster… She toyed with the locks on his arms and his arms fell free with a slight clank of metal.
All the while, Mah-ron's heart was building wildly. Aeron growled and his arms instantly wrapped themselves around Mah-ron's waist. She fit perfectly against him. "Thank you, little one…"
Mah-ron blushed, the hem of her dress rose a bit as he picked her up bridal style. "Y-you're welcome, but why were you down here in the first place?"
Aeron growled and held the flustered girl tighter, he refused to tell her the evil deed he was commanded to do. She looked too frail and innocent to hear it. But he could easily see that she wasn't. Her past, her history and her story, ran through his head at hyper-speed, all the wrongs sticking him like hot daggers. "I can ask the same about you…." He hissed as the pain speared him. Unlike Reyes, he did not enjoy it.
Toying with her scarf, Mah-ron fidgeted, she was nervous, this man's body was like a furnace, and when he pulled her up, she could feel the piercings and see the tattoos, those of demons and other scary things. She decided to tell the truth. Maybe if she got this man even more angry with those upstairs he would side with her. "I'm hiding from the ones called Lucien and Reyes. I think they are mad at me…"
Just as she expected, his eyes darkened to a bloody red and even in the dim light she could see a skeletal mask over his human features. He was a monster. She started to writhe but it wasn't all in fear, there was something else too. "I'll see to it..." He growled and then felt the tiny girl slacken. He looked down to find her fainted.